Jared and Tayler signed their National Letters of Intent to play with the UAF (Division I) hockey team. It was a very exciting day. Not only was it Jared's 18th birthday, but most of the family came out to watch this happen. I have the most supportive family anyone could ever ask for!!

These two boys were on their very first team together at age 5. Totem Chevron. I even have some video of them playing in a game. They also played two years of Bantams together and 1 yr of Midgets. Currently playing JR A Icedogs together. Many years in between there, when they were playing against each other. I'm so very proud of these two boys.

So proud of Jared!! He finished up the regular season with the Icedogs with the most points. http://nahl.stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=13174&seasonid=5863

He also did really well in standings for the whole league. Finished in 8th. http://nahl.stats.pointstreak.com/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=5863

Hoping he and the team do just as well during playoffs for during the quest for Nationals! Good Luck Jared!

We have had so many hockey adventures. Here are some of the thing that I have gotten to do because hockey is in my life.....

While Derek played: 1992-1996

Got to visit my Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle in Philadelphia, PA. This trip was really special, because only a few months after it, we lost my Grandfather. And eventually my Uncle and Grandmother. This was the last time I saw those 3. I will never forget it.

Got to see Mt. Rushmore and the St. Loius Arch.

Soaked in Liard Hot Springs in the Yukon, Canada

Stopped at probably every McDonalds that had a playland from Raleigh, NC to Alberta, Canada so Jared could have a play break from the car.

Celebrated Jared's 2nd birthday at Disneyworld in Florida! I will never forget the look on his face.

With Jared playing: 2006-current

Visited Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada and hiked Johnston Canyon and saw the waterfalls. Amazing! (the whole family did this, including Derek's parents).

Got to drive across the bridge from Duluth, MN to Superior, WI....wow that is one big bridge!

Shopped in the Mall of America! (a couple of times).

Went to Chicago with both boys, and my Dad. We went to Navy Pier and the top of the Sears Tower. Also saw a Chicago Blackhawks NHL game!

Visited Rochester, NY and took the short drive up to see Niagara Falls (Canadian and American Side). Absolutely one of the best places I have ever visited! (My Dad was with us again!).

Got to drive the streets of Detroit, MI. Saw hockey town and the Joe! Not to mention the Detroit Lions pro baseball game!

Went to Universal Studios in California with a whole gang of people from Jared's team!

Drove from Minneapolis to St. Cloud by myself...(well with Jared).

Got to walk the Las Vegas strip with my son!

The whole family went to San Jose, CA-when the team lost out early, we took a drive to San Fransisco. Got to drive over the San Fransisco Bridge (another moment, I wont soon forget) and see Alcatraz. Also walked around Pier 39.

Got to drive from Chicago to Cedar Rapids. Just Jared and I. Boy was I terrified driving through the traffic in Chicago.

Got to see the sites in Washington DC with the whole family! Spend the 4th of July underneath the Washington Monument watching fireworks! Rode the DC Metro.

Saw Niagara Falls with the entrie Family (including Derek's parents).

Drove the nasty Toronto traffic to get to the Hockey Hall of Fame. So woth the trip!!! (whole family).


All four of us went to the top of the Statue of Liberty! RIght to the crown. One of the best family experiences of my life. Saw the Empire State building. Watched a NY Yankee game, walked around Time Square, rode the NY Subway, got scared to death when we took a wrong turn and went into a ghetto area and saw a drug deal going down, and went to Ellis Island.

Got to see the Apple Capital of the world! (Wenatchee, WA).

Countless trips to Anchorage, Wasilla, Kenai and even 1 trip to Homer because of Carson's team.

I wonder what is next?

So this Manger is very special to me.

My Dad built this himself. He used a blow torch to burn the wood, and then stained it and varnished it. He built it back in North Dakota in 1966. He and my Mom bought the pieces at Woolworths. The got the hay from a horse corral on Grand Forks Air Force base, where they lived in ND. I guess there is a funny story about my older brother Mike being chased by a Goose that day, with him just a screaming! Anyways, this Manger was set up in my house every Christmas. I loved playing with the people and setting it up. I would re-arrange them all the time. We even had a cat or two that would push them all aside to sleep on the hay.

My parents don't really set up all of their decorations during Christmas anymore, so I asked this Christmas if I could have it. They were happy to say yes! So here it sits in my house now....full of memories for me.

With the Holidays upon us, it is time to help out. Last year was my first try at this. My church always has an adopt a family. We have a tree decorated with items that this family needs. You can pick any (or none) items you wish. Bring them back and then the teen youth group wraps and delievers them. Last year, I got last picks. Pretty much there was a $100 GVEA GC you could buy or buy them their Christmas dinner. I was hoping to get off cheaper than that, but I really wanted to help, so I picked the Christmas dinner. I went to Safeway's Deli. It cost $49.99 to get a pre-cooked Christmas dinner. So I bought a $50 Safeway GC for this. Way more money than I wanted to give, but I did it. Let me tell you it felt so good. I didn't get to meet the family, or even know who they were. I didnt get to see their faces when they opened it, but it was beyond that for me. It just felt good to know I was helping someone else less fortunate feel better, for at least one day.
This year, we have the adopt a family again. I picked a tag that was for a 6 yr old boy who wants books. Can't wait to go to B&N and pick some out, with the boys help. Derek's work is also doing an adopt a family. He forwarded me the note. One family has no Christmas tree or decorations. We picked up an extra artificial tree one year at Home Depot at the after Christmas day sale. I think it cost a whole wopping $10.00 after all the markdowns. I was going to use it as an extra decoration outside with lights on it. Since fuel started costing so much, which caused electricity to cost so much more, we haven't set it except for one year. It's just sitting in the crawl space. Gathering dust. Derek made his way to town today, and bought some decorations and lights for it, and will drop it off to the HR dept of his work tonight. It feels really good to know that this family will be able to decorate a tree, which is such an important tradition in my family.
If you don't already help out....try it...I guarentee you will love it!!

Family Get Together

Uncle Mike sneaks in on Macy's moment...
Blowing out the candles.
(Yes, my pictures are all out of order...oh well!)

Carson got this gift during Macy's party, since his bday was just last week.

Jarret and Jenna

These boys just arrived from flying all day to get home from their roadtrip to Fresno. Not sure if a bday party was on the agenda, but I think they enjoyed the food.

Grandma gets piled up with Macy's toys.

Macy still handing out the toys...pieces of her wooden bday cake.

Grandpa

Playing with the wooden bday cake .

Grandma opening up some of her gifts as well.

Maggie shows us her sense of style!

Macy loved playing with the face off the bday cake. haha

We haven't had new family pictures taken in about 10 years. Portraits Studio did a great job. They took us up to the B. Gardens up at UAF. I have never ever been there. It is beautiful.

PS is you see this family picture, don't tell my parents about till after Christmas, it is one of their gifts.

And yes, it was sprinkling that day, so I hate my hair!

Love love love this picture.

All the cousins.
Jared wasn't born in Alaska (the rest were), but he has been raised here, so we think he qualified for the shirt!